They swear by squash

Robert MacLaren II and his son Robert MacLaren III each stood in sweat-drenched gym wear with their hands on their hips accompanied by heavy exhales.

But only pure bliss could be seen on their faces after playing a game of squash during the Squash Racquets Associaton-sanctioned tournament at the Boca Pointe Athletic Center.

The workout left the Boca Raton father and son feeling re-energized, revitalized and free of stress.

"This is the best thing that you can do for your body," said Robert Sr., 60, who has played the game for the better part of the last 17 years. "My only regret is that I didn't start playing it until after I had turned 40 years old. The difference in the way that I feel has changed dramatically since I began playing it."

While Robert Sr. plays twice a week in the Boca Pointe league as well as the league at the Life Time Athletic Boca Raton Club, his son came back to the game in May. After being away from the sport for three years while attending law school at Loyola University in New Orleans, Robert Jr. has decided to look toward healthier habits while maintaining a good relationship with his dad.

Squash has been a great bonding experience for the two as well as a way to enter a sport that draws people from all parts of the world.

"This is a game that is played all over the world especially in Canada and Europe," said Bob Kingsley, director of the United States Squash Association from 1989-1991. "When you are meeting new people, all you have to do is say that you're a squash player. If they happen to play, too, boom, you're into their network."

The tournament that took place Nov. 2-4 at the Athletic Center and Life Time Athletic Club drew players from all over the country and had divisions for men at 5.5+, 5.0, 4.5. 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0 and veterans divisions.

The event also showcased an exhibition match to a standing room-only crowd between Jonathan Power of Canada, formerly No. 1-ranked player in the world, against Julian Illingsworth, who has climbed the rankings over the past year. After dropping the first game, Power rebounded to defeat Illingsworth with an arsenal of steady and trick shots to win the match 3-1.

"This is the healthiest game that you can play," said Power, who now only travels for exhibition shows typically four or five times a month. "You're never going to expend this much energy in anything that you do. It's a terrific game."

For the MacLarens, they say that the game is so addictive that you can't help but keep coming back to reap all the health benefits as well as meet fascinating people.

"There are so many reasons that I play," Robert Sr. said. "The competitive challenge of hitting a soft, squishy ball gives a cathartic effect. There is a focus on sportsmanship as well because there usually is not a referee to make the calls. The strategy involved, the fact that people can play for the rest of their lives and you only need one other person to play a game are all big reasons that we play."